Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 53, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 October 1909 — CLEVELAND HAD EYE ON JOHNSON [ARTICLE]

CLEVELAND HAD EYE ON JOHNSON

Former President Looked Upon Minnesotan as Leader. WAS FAITHFUL TO HIS PARTY One of the Last Letters of One Time Occupant of White Houee Contradicts Document Produced by Broughton Brandenburg Because It Indicates That Executive Elected by the Democrats Believed There Were Triumphs In Store For Democrats. Utica, N. Y.. Oct. 15.—E. Prentiss Bailey, veteran editor of the Utica Observer and a close friend of Grover Cleveland, prints the text of a letter he received from the former president. Bailey believes the letter is the last of any length or Importance that Cleveland wrote. It Is dated Princeton, March 14, 1908. Its contents are Interesting in the light of the controversy over the so-called Cleveland letter produced by Broughton Brandenburg, which was subsequently alleged to have been a forgery. The letter Erandenburg gave to the public was dated March 8 and made It appear that Cleveland, becoming hopeless of his party, eulogized W. H. Taft. Bailey’s letter indicates that Cleveland was contemplating with satisfaction the possible nomination of John A. Johnson for the presidency by the Democrats. The letter in part follows: “I often recall past political contests and those who were prominent as leaders in winning Democratic victories. It does not seem to me that the successors of these old leaders naturally give rise to great confidence or hope. Still I cannot rid myself of the idea that our party which has withstood so many clashes with our opponents Is not doomed at this time to sink into a condition of useless and lasting decadence. “I have lately corne to the conclusion that our best hope rests upon the nomination of Johnson of Minnesota. The prospects to my mind appear as bright with him as our* leader as with any other, and whether we meet with success or not, I believe with a leader we shall take a long step in the way of return to our old creed and the old policies and the old plans of organization which have heretofore led us to victory.”